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Rhododendron maximum

Image of Rhododendron maximum

Jesse Saylor

Family

Ericaceae

Botanical Name

Rhododendron maximum

Plant Common Name

Great Laurel, Rosebay Rhododendron

General Description

Prized for its late flowers and its tolerance of shade and cold, this broadleaf evergreen is native to moist woodlands from Maine to Georgia. Tall and sparsely branched, it eventually forms a large open shrub or small multi-stemmed tree.

In late spring or early summer, trusses of 18 to 24 pale-rose, purplish, or white flowers appear at the branch tips, sometimes hidden by the current season's growth. The five-lobed, bell-shaped blooms typically have a cluster of yellow-green spots on their upper lobe. Narrowly ovoid seed pods follow the flowers, ripening brown. The large, leathery, elliptic leaves are shiny dark green above and pale below. They furl lengthwise in bitter weather. Mature plants have pale reddish brown bark with long narrow shredded scales.

Grow rosebay rhododendron in partial shade in moist, well-drained, acidic soil. It fares poorly in hot, dry, or windy sites. Its irregular open habit suits it for naturalistic settings such as woodlands and informal hedgerows. This species has given rise to many hybrids and cultivars.

All parts of rhododendron plants contain adromedotoxins, which may pose health risks. For more information visit: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Rhodosp.htm.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    7 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    4 - 7

  • Sunset Zone

    4, 5, 6, 15, 16, 17

  • Plant Type

    Broadleaf Evergreen

  • Sun Exposure

    Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    8'-25' / 2.4m - 7.6m

  • Width

    8'-15' / 2.4m - 4.6m

  • Bloom Time

    Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer

  • Native To

    Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Purple, Pink, Light Pink, Rose

  • Fruit Color

    Brown

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green

  • Bark Color

    Brown, Sienna

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Coarse

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Platy

  • Usage

    Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Wildflower

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    No